Teachers record experiences or pose questions for the educational community to offer feedback in order to better handle intercultural communication.
Every two weeks questions are posted on a particular subject area related to intercultural communication in order to promote conversation and feedback. The questions are expected to encourage a variety of answers in order to address all viewpoints of intercultural respect.
Blogspot will notify teachers of new questions twice a month
Teachers develop a comfort level in which to approach intercultural situations in a respectful manner as well as encouraging their students to treat their classmates as respected individuals.
Preparation:
2 weeks after beginning lesson 1 : All teachers receive the VoiceThread tutorial: A Microsoft Word template which guides the teachers through step-by-step directions on how to setup and use the features of the application.
1 week in advance: Teachers receive a VoiceThread pilot to demonstrate multiple ways to use the application.
The first month will be a trial run of VoiceThread prior to the posting of questions to the educational community. Teachers are encouraged to post with free range of subject to promote continual use of VoiceThread.
Materials and tools: Computers, phones, iPads with access to the Internet VoiceThread application Word Template offering a step-by-step tutorial
Estimated time: 60 minutes
Standards:
Montgomery County Teacher Professional Growth Standards
Standard III: Teachers are responsible for establishing and managing student learning in a positive learning environment.
Standard V. Teachers are committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
Standard 3: Model Digital Age Work and Learning
3a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
4d. Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other culture using digital age communication and collaboration tools.
Standard 5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
5a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
5d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community
Procedure:
1. The readings and conversations from lesson one will promote a deeper knowledge of intercultural respect within the classroom. Teachers will have developed a strong understanding of the topic and be better prepared to discuss the topics.
2. Teachers view the VoiceThread Tutorial which provides step by step directions on how to use the application.
3. Once they review the tutorial, they will then view a sample VoiceThread account which provides examples of how VoiceThread can be used. One example is a formal recording in which the educator addresses a whole culture and how she has adapted her teaching to the culture. The second recording is more informal and provides a personal example of how one educator addresses a child's hygiene.
In response to the sample VoiceThread, teachers consider their own experiences as it relates to intercultural relations. How have they adapted their teaching to address cultural differences in a classroom? What expertise do they have to share with colleagues? What kinds of expertise do they hope their colleagues can share with them?
5. The first month of using VoiceThread will be without designated questions in order to allow teachers free range of conversation. The conversation will set the precedent for future VoiceThread topics. Those subjects showing the most interest will be the basis upon which VoiceThread questions are chosen.
6. Teachers are able to access the VoiceThread account through the secure Blogspot. Every two weeks the questions will be linked to a private VoiceThread account. The secure account encourages the sharing of ideas and a safe environment for educators to ask questions. VoiceThread will allow those new to the education community to ask questions which others have learned through experience.
7. In addition to the outside resources used in lesson 1 (LiveBinders), teachers become the resources in lesson 2 creating a unique environment in which they interact among a community of teachers.Teachers are encouraged to use their learning from these resources to address intercultural respect within the classroom which will encourage intercultural respect among the students.
Lesson 2: Sharing Experiences
Goals:
Preparation:
Materials and tools:
Computers, phones, iPads with access to the Internet
VoiceThread application
Word Template offering a step-by-step tutorial
Estimated time: 60 minutes
Standards:
Montgomery County Teacher Professional Growth Standards
Standard III: Teachers are responsible for establishing and managing student learning in a positive learning environment.
Standard V. Teachers are committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Unit Standards
Standard 1: Candidate Knowledge, Skills, and Professional Dispositions
1c. Professional and pedagogical knowledge and skills for teacher candidates
Standard 4: Diversity
4b. Experiences working with diverse faculty
4c. Experiences working with diverse candidates
Standard 5: Qualifications, Performance, and Development
5b. Modeling best professional practices in teaching
International Society for Technology in Education NETS-T
Standard 3: Model Digital Age Work and Learning
3a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
4d. Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other culture using digital age communication and collaboration tools.
Standard 5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
5a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
5d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community
Procedure:
1. The readings and conversations from lesson one will promote a deeper knowledge of intercultural respect within the classroom. Teachers will have developed a strong understanding of the topic and be better prepared to discuss the topics.
2. Teachers view the VoiceThread Tutorial which provides step by step directions on how to use the application.
3. Once they review the tutorial, they will then view a sample VoiceThread account which provides examples of how VoiceThread can be used. One example is a formal recording in which the educator addresses a whole culture and how she has adapted her teaching to the culture. The second recording is more informal and provides a personal example of how one educator addresses a child's hygiene.
In response to the sample VoiceThread, teachers consider their own experiences as it relates to intercultural relations. How have they adapted their teaching to address cultural differences in a classroom? What expertise do they have to share with colleagues? What kinds of expertise do they hope their colleagues can share with them?
5. The first month of using VoiceThread will be without designated questions in order to allow teachers free range of conversation. The conversation will set the precedent for future VoiceThread topics. Those subjects showing the most interest will be the basis upon which VoiceThread questions are chosen.
6. Teachers are able to access the VoiceThread account through the secure Blogspot. Every two weeks the questions will be linked to a private VoiceThread account. The secure account encourages the sharing of ideas and a safe environment for educators to ask questions. VoiceThread will allow those new to the education community to ask questions which others have learned through experience.
7. In addition to the outside resources used in lesson 1 (LiveBinders), teachers become the resources in lesson 2 creating a unique environment in which they interact among a community of teachers.Teachers are encouraged to use their learning from these resources to address intercultural respect within the classroom which will encourage intercultural respect among the students.
Additional resources:
Montgomery County R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Compact
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/staff/respect/respect.pdf
Montgomery County Equity Initiatives Unit
http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/development/teams/diversity/diversity.shtm